Sat, Jan. 21, 2006
Ruffian film gets go-ahead
ESPN EXEC SAYS FAMED FILLY’S BREAKDOWN JUST PART OF STORY
By Alicia Wincze, Lexington Herald-Leader
Ask Mike Bell to pick a favorite moment from his time spent with Ruffian and one might as well be asking a parent to chose among their children.
Even 31 years later, the memories Bell has of the champion filly are as vivid as they are voluminous and remain some of his most prized possessions.
Which is why if they’re going to be shown to the whole world, Bell hopes it’s done to his liking.
Last week, ESPN Original Entertainment announced it has given the go-ahead to start production of its original movie Ruffian, based on the incredible and ultimately tragic story of the filly widely considered to be the greatest female thoroughbred racehorse of all time.
In contrast to the rags-to-riches, box-office friendly story of Seabiscuit, Ruffian’s tale presents ESPN with the challenge of not only detailing her remarkable career, but handling the emotionally charged issue of her death, which came about as a result of an injury sustained during her famed 1975 match race with Foolish Pleasure.
“I’m all for the movie being done if it’s done the way it happened,” said Bell, who was an assistant to Ruffian’s trainer Frank Whiteley. "The book (Ruffian: Burning From the Start) by Jane Schwartz was as close to anything you can get that ever happened and if they deviate from that at all, which I’m afraid they might, then it won’t be right.
“If they portray the whole story, the way it brought all the people together … it might balance a little bit of the ending. But to just make a movie for movie’s sake wouldn’t do the filly justice.”
Instead of being scared off by the sensitive nature of Ruffian’s death, Ron Semiao, senior vice president over ESPN Original Entertainment, said the passion the legendary filly evoked in fans and the relationships she helped develop between those around her made the project all the more enticing to the network.
“Good movies tend to take viewers on an emotional journey and Ruffian’s story seems to have all the arcs that make a story compelling,” Semiao said. “(Her breakdown) is something that happened and it would be disingenuous to viewers to ignore it. But that’s a small part of her entire story. I think what we want people to take away is the recognition of how terrific a horse she was and how unfortunate what happened to her was.”
The movie is set to begin shooting in Shreveport, La., in late February and is slated to premiere on ABC in conjunction with the network’s presentation of the Belmont Stakes in June 2007.
While D.G. Van Clief Jr., commissioner of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, acknowledged that potential fans may be put off by Ruffian’s breakdown, he remains confident the NTRA will work with ESPN to present the film in the best possible manner.
“Of course there is always concern. You think about accidents on the track; they do not paint a pretty picture,” Van Clief said. “But we welcome any high-quality production about horse racing and we would trust they are going to handle this with the utmost sensitivity.”
